Football Agent Provides Major Update On Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips Pursuit

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips to nearing a move to Manchester City this summer, according to football agent Rob Segal.

The Premier League champions have made Phillips their top target to replace Fernandinho, who departs the Etihad Stadium after nine trophy-laden years in the east side of Manchester.

Frenkie de Jong, Paul Pogba and Declan Rice were all believed to be potential targets for Pep Guardiola previously, but it is understood the Blues are now maintaining their focus in signing Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United.

Kalvin Phillips will sort out his club future after his England National Team commitments (UK Sports Pics Ltd / Alamy)

With two years left on his current deal at Elland Road, Leeds are expected to set a sizeable asking price for the England international after avoiding relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the previous campaign.

There is confidence amongst those at Manchester City and Leeds a deal will be agreed for Phillips, with Etihad Stadium officials keen on getting a crucial bit of transfer business done before Pep Guardiola jets off with his squad to the United States for pre-season in July.

Manchester City have already secured the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez and could see both Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling depart for Arsenal and Chelsea respectively.

Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips (Image: MB Media Solutions / Alamy)

According to football agent Rob Segal, the English champions are close to completing the signing of Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United.

Speaking to Caught Offside this week, Segal said: "Leeds United need to sell – that much is obvious.

"Offloading Raphinha might be enough, but Kalvin Phillips is a strong candidate to go too. He is close to joining Manchester City, I hear."

Manchester City have identified Kalvin Phillips as their ideal replacement for Fernandinho (Image: Alamy)

Phillips has established himself as one of the brightest defensive midfielders in the Premier League since Leeds' promotion back to the Premier League in 2020.

The Leeds-born star is a regular for England and could be tempted by the prospect of competing for major trophies and working under Pep Guardiola should Manchester City present an offer for the Yorkshireman.

Pep Guardiola is keen on increasing competition for Rodri in the middle of the park and has identified Phillips as the ideal man to head to the Etihad Stadium ahead of the new campaign.

Kalvin Phillips could be set to join Manchester City this summer (Image: Alamy)

Phillips made 23 appearances across all competitions for his boyhood club last term as he enters the final two years of his existing contract at Elland Road.

After retaining the Premier League title for the second time under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City are looking to challenge on all fronts again next season.

The Blues crashed out of the Carabao Cup on penalties against West Ham last season before suffering a narrow FA Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool at Wembley.

The most crushing defeat of the season however, came at the Santiago Bernabeu when a late capitulation saw Manchester City surrender a two-goal aggregate lead and exit the Champions League against Real Madrid in the semi-final.